BRIDESTOWE & Belstone made it two wins on the spin on the way up the A Division table when they defeated Ivybridge by three wickets.

Fifth on the ladder and a 20-point cushion over second-bottom Cullompton is a definite improvement on eighth out of ten three rounds ago.

“This was another important win that gets us closer to where we would like to be in the table,” said Tallan Burns, the B&B captain.

Ivybridge were 24 for three after an early going over and needed a recovery of sorts. Zach Dunn (25) and Harvey Johnson (15) provided one.

After Billy Searle (2-19) divorced Johnson from Dunn, no one made more than Harry Solomon (17) as the Bridge were bowled out for 110.

Tom Pengelly (5-26) was easily B&B’s most effective bowler.

“After losing the toss, Tom Fogerty and Simon Gillespie set the tone early ,taking two of the big wickets,” said B&B skipper Burns.

“Tom Pengelly took full advantage of the turn in the pitch and bowled arguably his best spell in a Bridestowe shirt.”

The Moorlanders got to 59 for two in relative comfort – James Ewen (21), Shaq Glasgow (20) and Leon Horn (22) all chipping in – then found runs at a premium.

The bowling combination of Mickey Copeland (3-28) and Solomon (2-13) had B&B wobbling at 81 for six with the game in the balance. Tom Fogerty (6no) and Pengelly (8no) saw them home.

“After a strong start with the bat, it was disappointing to allow Ivybridge back into the game with some interesting shot selection,” said winning captain Burns. 

“However, we got over the line and are ooking forward to kicking on again this Saturday against Budleigh Salterton.| 

Ivybridge have now gone four games without a win and have dropped down to fourth from bottom in the table, where they have a 16-point advantage over Bovey Tracey, who occupy the second relegation place.

John Sparkes, the Ivybridge team manager, said: “The lads fought really hard in the field to take seven with us and at six down we felt we had a sniff, but it wasn’t to be.

“We felt 135-140 was a par score on a pitch that was offering a lot of assistance for both seamers and particularly the spinners. 

“Harvey Johnson and Zach Dunn worked really hard to get us back in the game after the early wickets went.

“A couple of wickets given away cheaply, and not getting the rub of green on one key decision has cost us overall. 

“We have to be better in prizing our wickets in what’s left of the season.”